Student Nutrition Services FAQs

Are the meals provided for my student at school free? 

Yes! Thanks to California Meals for All, Student Nutrition Services offers Breakfast and Lunch free of charge for all SFUSD students. Supper is also free for all SFUSD students and San Francisco youth 18 years and under, and is available at select schools, thanks to the Child and Adult Food Care Program (CACFP).

Where can I find the menu for my student’s school? 

Currently, all menus can be found at sfusd.edu/menus. On this page, we have two methods to find your menu:
- Download a PDF (For all sites)
- View on SchoolCafe (For Refresh Sites Only)

Printed monthly menus are also available in cafeterias and/or school offices for your and your child’s reference. 

Do you have translated school food menus? 

Instructions about how to translate your school’s menu can be found here: Translating PDF Menus

What meals are offered at my student’s school?

All SFUSD K-12 schools provide Breakfast and Lunch every school day. You can find your school’s breakfast and lunch service times on your school’s website. 

Supper is also available to all SFUSD students and San Francisco residents 18 years or younger and is served at select schools. You can find a current list of sites offering supper here: List of Supper Sites
Students can receive Special Dietary meals and bagged field trip meals at all school sites. See more about Special Dietary meals in the questions below. 

At Early Education Schools, students are served meals family-style and receive breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snacks (full day programs only).

What different meal programs are offered by SFUSD?

Refresh Menu – At schools that follow the Refresh menu, meals are prepared fresh daily onsite by a team of highly trained Dining Staff. In the 2025-2026 school year, many of our Refresh sites launched a daily salad bar and/or a bulk service model. Meals prepared at the McAteer Culinary Center fall under this program.

McAteer Expansion – A number of schools receive the Refresh menu via our McAteer Expansion program, where meals are prepared fresh at the McAteer Culinary Center (MCC) and delivered to the site 1 day prior to serving. The meals are then heated on site. For production and delivery, these schools may serve the Refresh menu on a staggered schedule. 

Vended Meals – Vended meals are freshly prepared in the East Bay and delivered refrigerated, not frozen. They meet the same nutritional standards as our Refresh meals and are heated onsite by trained Dining Staff. 

Why does my school receive vended meals? 

There are two primary reasons that schools receive vended meals rather than the Refresh program. 

First, outdated and limited infrastructure at many schools does not allow for on-site cooking. For example, many kitchens do not have the electrical capacity, nor the space, needed to sustain the equipment required for the Refresh meal program. As part of ongoing bond-funded projects, SFUSD kitchens will continue to be modernized. 

Second, limited staffing at schools impedes our ability to implement the Refresh program, particularly at schools with low meal participation or attendance.

McAteer Culinary Center is our only central kitchen and the maximum number of meals it can provide daily does not meet the overall District needs.  

How is the menu determined at my student’s school? 

Refresh Menu: 

The Refresh menu is developed, first and foremost, in alignment with the Federal, State, and local nutrition regulations. Meal costs are also a primary consideration.

Beyond that, menu entrees are developed by our menu committee, made up of culinary professionals with decades of experience. The menu entree ideas are then tested and refined at one of our schools. 

Next, the Menu Committee collaborates with our Student Engagement Coordinator to conduct student taste tests to garner student feedback in an effort to ensure menu items are Student Approved.

Refresh menus operate on a 3-week cycle, meaning that there’s roughly 32 different entrees served within that 3-week period. Every school day, there are 4 entrees offered. Two menu items repeat every day to provide consistency, while 2 change every day for those 3 weeks. This menu is updated seasonally, meaning about 3 times per school year.

Vended Meal Menu:

The Prepared Meals Vendor collaborates with the Child Nutrition Programs Manager and Menu Planner to approve the menu items. 

Menu items are developed and brought to SNS to see if our students would like to have it on their menu. 

Our Student Engagement Coordinator conducts student taste tests to garner student feedback in an effort to ensure menu items are Student Approved.

Why are the meals served sometimes different from what’s on the menu?

Meals served may vary from the stated menu based on supply chain issues, on-site facility issues, or other unexpected circumstances. Whenever possible, SNS will communicate menu changes in advance, but in emergent situations, this is not always possible. The menu is subject to change, and this is stated on every menu.

Where does the food my student is served come from? 

Our procurement practices prioritize California-grown and seasonal produce whenever possible. We contract out to produce vendors such as Daylight, Sysco, and Goldstar. The Good Food Purchasing Program guides us in our values based procurement practices. Vended meals travel less than 2 hours to reach our schools. They are prepared in the East Bay.

How are school meal vendors selected? Can our school change meal vendors? 

SFUSD selects a Prepared Meals Vendor (PMV) via a publicly posted and highly regulated Request for Proposal (RFP) process. Contracts awarded through the RFP process last approximately 3-5 years. The process includes a blind Community Taste Test, in which members of the SFUSD community taste and score 8 different entree options from vendors who applied for the RFP. Throughout this process, potential vendors are anonymous and referred to by an alias to prevent bias. Vendors are selected based on a 1000-point scoring rubric based on several metrics, including performance in the Community Taste Test, fiscal responsibility, values alignment, and ability to meet operational needs. For more information on the RFP process, please visit the Procurement website. 

We sometimes hear requests from individual schools that want to fundraise and change meal vendors. Individual school sites cannot change vendors for various reasons, specifically equity issues,  operational challenges, and regulatory concerns that would arise. 

The Central Kitchen project will give SNS much greater control over vendor selection and procurement practices, and largely reduce our reliance on external PMVs. Please see more about this project below.

What if my student has a food allergy or special dietary need? 

In compliance with federal law, SFUSD will provide food substitutions to a child whose food allergies, intolerances, or disabilities restrict their diet. Please complete and submit the form found here: Special Dietary Needs.

Do I need a doctor’s note to get school food accommodations? 

A licensed medical professional’s signature is required for all meal accommodations, with the exception of milk substitutions. To request a milk substitution, please complete the form found here: Milk Substitutions. Please note – as of SY 2025-2026, lactose-free dairy milk is available at all school sites. If your student requires lactose-free dairy milk, they can access it at school without submitting a milk substitution request. 

Acceptable medical professionals include the student’s physician or nurse practitioner or a Registered Dietician.  

My student requires a texture modification to food, like blending or pureeing. Can Student Nutrition Services accommodate this? 

SNS is able to accommodate texture modifications. Please submit the special dietary needs form linked above with a medical professional’s signature, and our team will work with you to develop a plan for accommodating your student’s needs. 

How can I find out the allergen and nutritional information for my student’s meals? 

If your student attends a school that receives our Refresh or McAteer menus, allergen and nutritional information can be found at SchoolCafe.com/sfusd. If your student attends a school that receives our vended meal program, you can find the allergen and nutritional information here: Allergen Reports, Nutritional Analysis, and Ingredients List

Does SFUSD serve any items with peanuts or tree nuts? 

SFUSD does not serve any items with peanuts or tree nuts. However, we do bring in products that may be produced in facilities that handle and process nuts, so we cannot guarantee that meals are completely free of traces of nuts or nut residue. 

Can I request a food substitution based on preferences, religious practices, or other dietary choices? 

While SFUSD does not offer individual food substitutions for food preferences or religious requirements, we value providing a variety of protein sources on our menu and offer a vegetarian option daily. We are not able to accommodate specific dietary choices unless documented by a medical professional.

Who can I contact if I have more questions about special dietary accommodations? 

If you have questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out: Call us at 415-340-1716 or email us at SchoolLunch@sfusd.edu

What Nutrition Guidelines does SFUSD School Food meet?

SFUSD is proud to have some of the highest standards for school nutrition in the country. Our Nutrition Guidelines meet or exceed the standards outlined in federal, state, and local policies established by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and California Department of Education (CDE). You can find the Nutrition Guidelines and Wellness Policy at sfusd.edu/bewell. 

Some highlights from the Nutrition Guidelines and Wellness Policy include: 

There are more than 20 ingredients banned in all SFUSD meals, including BHA & BHT, Sodium Benzoate, high-fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, artificial colors or flavors, and more. The complete list of banned ingredients can be found in our Nutrition Guidelines. 

Meat and dairy products are held to high quality standards based on USDA grading and all poultry products must be raised without the use of non-therapeutic hormones. 

Meals meet strict standards for fats, saturated fats, and sodium. 

Who regulates the nutrition guidelines?

Nutrition guidelines are regulated by city, state, and federal government entities, including: California Department of Education (CDE); California Department of Social Services (CDSS); Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP); National School Lunch Program (NSLP); United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

What can I bring to my student’s school for fundraisers or celebrations?

Our Wellness Policy indicates that all foods served or sold on school grounds during the school day should follow our established nutritional guidelines. This includes food items brought for in-class celebrations and fundraisers during the school day, such as birthdays or bake sales. Please review the Nutritional Guidelines here for more information about what you can and cannot serve to students at school: sfusd.edu/bewell.

My student needs more food. Can they take two meals?

The serving sizes of school meals are determined by the federal meal pattern, which indicates (among other things) the average minimum and maximum calories for each meal for the week. These calorie counts are calculated to include all meal components, including side vegetables, fruits, and milk. If a student is hungry after eating a meal, it may be because they haven’t taken all of the meal components offered to them. For students who are still hungry, we encourage them to check the Share Table in the dining space to see if there are any items leftover from their classmates. Finally, second meals will be offered during the last 5 minutes of lunch service if there are any extra meals available. This is not guaranteed. 

What is offered to my student daily, and what do they have to take?

Breakfast always offers the following meal components: Grain, Fruit, Milk (1% and Lactose Free), and sometimes Meat/Meat Alternate (such as beans, cheese, yogurt, or eggs). At Breakfast, all students are required to take fruit with their entree for it to be considered a complete meal. With their breakfast entree and fruit, K-5 students can also take milk, while 6-12 students can take up to 2 fruits at a time.

Lunch always offers the following meal components: Fruit, Vegetable, Grain, Meat/Meat Alternate, Milk (1% and Lactose Free). At lunch, all students are required to take between 1-2 servings of fruits or vegetables. With their lunch entree and side of fruit and/or veg, K-5 students can also take milk, while 6-12 students can take up to 2 fruits and 2 veggies, plus milk.

What kind of experience do SFUSD Dining Staff bring to their work?

All of our Dining Staff are food professionals and are required to bring kitchen experience to the job. Many of our staff have worked in restaurants and kitchens for many years. Many of our staff also have experience working with youth and practicing customer service skills. 

What training do SFUSD Dining Staff receive? 

All SFUSD Dining Staff are required to maintain a current Food Safety Manager Certification, which requires extensive knowledge of food safety and handling. Our staff also receive regular, ongoing training, both in person and online. These trainings include an annual Back to School training for all staff, as well as semesterly and/or monthly team training. 

I would like to work with SNS as a Dining Staff! How can I apply? 

We are happy to hear you are interested in joining our team as a Dining Staff! Please find our current list of career opportunities here: Careers at Student Nutrition Services

Can adults (teachers, admin, staff, volunteers) eat meals for free?

The USDA and San Francisco Unified School District do not allow adults (Teachers, Admin, Staff, Volunteers) to eat meals for free. Meals are offered to adults at a below-market rate. Adult meal prices can be found posted in the dining space or at sfusd.edu/schoolfood. If you can’t find the posted prices, please ask your dining employee or email SchoolLunch@sfusd.edu.

How do adults pay for their meals?

As of August 2023, SFUSD Student Nutrition Services is only accepting payment for Adult Meals through a SchoolCafe account. Find instructions on how to create a SchoolCafe account here. Once an account is created, a Meal PIN will be generated for you. You will need to input that Meal PIN at the time of service for dining staff to confirm your account balance. Please note: funds may take 24 hours to appear in your account, so please add funds ahead of time.

How do I make a SchoolCafe Staff account? 

You can find instructions to create a SchoolCafe account here: SchoolCafe Staff Account Instructions (1).

If the lunch period is almost over, can adults take one of the remaining meals?

Unfortunately, the USDA does not allow adults to take free meals at any point during meal service or afterward; this also includes all food on the Share Table. Student Nutrition Services does not get reimbursed for any meals taken by adults. In addition to lost reimbursement funds, the practice of adults taking free meals is non-compliant with program regulations and can jeopardize school and district funding. In order to continue to run a legally compliant program, we are counting on adult cooperation! Thank you for your understanding.

Are adults allowed to take food placed on the Share Table?

Food placed on the Share Table is intended for student use only; adults are not permitted to take items from the Share Table. If you would like a meal, please purchase one from our dining staff.

If an adult doesn’t have a SchoolCafe account, can they pay for their meal at a later time?

SFUSD does not allow adults to take a meal without payment at the time of service. If you don’t have an account when you arrive at the dining space, our dining staff will not be able to accept any other form of payment. We appreciate your patience and understanding with our team!

What do adults need at the point of service to take their meals?

You will need to have a SchoolCafe account with available funds already in your account. In addition to having funds in your account, you will also need to have your Meal PIN ready to input.

I am having trouble creating my employee account in SchoolCafe! What should I do?

Follow the instructions on Page 2 of this document: SchoolCafe Staff Account Instructions (1). For additional support, please email schoollunch@sfusd.edu or call Student Nutrition Services at 415.749.3604.

How should school meal waste be sorted? 

SNS works with the San Francisco Environment Department and Recology to provide instruction to students about how to properly sort waste. All SFUSD schools use a 3-can sorting system (Landfill, Recycling, and Compost), following the same sorting rules used by the entire City & County of San Francisco. You can find more information about sorting waste here: Recology Sorting Guides

My students' school serves meals in individually packaged containers, why is that? 

If your school serves meals individually packaged, this meal likely comes from our Prepared Food Vendor, which prepares each meal, keeps them at food safe temperatures, and delivers them to each school site. In order to keep food safe at each stage of the process, meals must be individually packaged to prevent contamination and ensure the best meal experience for students.

Once the SFUSD SNS Central Kitchen becomes operational through Phase 2, we plan to reduce our reliance on individually packaged meals.

Is it safe to heat school meals in plastic wrappers? 

The packaging used for all SFUSD meals is designed to be safely heated in the specific ovens used at our sites, including plastic film and wrappers. Any and all plastic used is food-grade plastic meant to withstand heat. Please note that our school sites do not use microwave ovens to heat meals. 

What steps is SFUSD taking to reduce plastic waste and exposure to microplastics? 

SFUSD is continuously working to reduce single-use plastics in our meal programs. We have made significant strides in this area; for example, during School Year 2025-2026, we were able to switch our vended meal trays to compostable containers. This change came in direct response to student advocacy for reducing plastic waste. As we continue infrastructure improvements at school sites and begin to operationalize the Central Kitchen, we will continue to explore other ways to reduce plastic waste and single-use packaging, including moving to bulk service models and introducing reusable dishware. 

What is California Meals for All?

In School Year (SY) 2022–23, California became the first state to implement a statewide Universal Meals Program for school children. California’s Universal Meals Program (UMP) builds on the foundations of the federal National School Lunch Program (NSLP). For more information, please see the CDE website: California Meals for All.

What is the MFIF form? If meals are free, why should I fill out the MFIF? 

The Multipurpose Family Income Form (MFIF) is a simple form that families complete once a year to report household income. Although school meals are provided at no cost to all SFUSD enrolled students, completing this one form helps families access valuable resources and aggregate results generate critical funding allocations for schools and community-based organizations to provide academic programs, nutrition services, and other supports that help students thrive.

Why is the MFIF Important to submit?

MFIF data informs the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), which determines school funding for academic programs and services. 

This information also helps prioritize your student’s enrollment in afterschool programs if you meet eligibility guidelines, as well as helps eligible students receive benefits, such as $120 in SunBucks (see below), internet access, SAT fee waivers, and more. View the Family Benefits Guide for more information about these benefits. 

Even if your family doesn’t meet the income qualifications, it’s important to still submit the MFIF to help us keep the most accurate information possible. The MFIF is also used to secure funding for the Child & Adult Care Food Program which provides meals for our students enrolled in SFUSD Early Education Sites.

Please note: A MFIF submission is not required for students to get free meals. Meals are free for all students regardless of income. 

What are SUN Bucks? How can I access them? 

California’s Summer EBT program, also known as SUN Bucks, provides $120 per eligible child to help families buy food during the summer when school is out.

Most eligible children get SUN Bucks automatically. Other families must apply for SUN Bucks benefits through a MFIF Application. There is a question on the SFUSD MFIF that asks if you’d like the information provided to be used toward SUN Bucks eligibility; this must be selected in order to apply for this benefit. 

I heard that SFUSD is working on a Central Kitchen. What does this mean? 

Yes! Student Nutrition Services is so excited about the steps we’re taking toward a Central Kitchen. This is a generational promise being fulfilled at 801 Toland Drive. This voter-approved, bond-funded project has not broken ground yet. We anticipate Phase 1 operations to be up and running sometime in 2028. We plan to break ground by the end of 2026.

What ongoing projects is SFUSD SNS working on to improve school meals? 

Numerous projects are in the works to improve school meals in San Francisco. Within the last year, we have:

1. Launched 10 salad bars.
2. Implemented bulk service lines.
3. Began offering lactose-free milk at all school sites.
4. Hosted over 25 student engagement sessions at more than 20 schools to collect feedback and hear from students.
5. Completed 8 student-led dining space redesigns.
6. Transitioned to Compostable Trays.
7. Offered nearly 30 new menu items across all schools.

What other ways can I access food resources for my family?

Our team understands that food access is extremely important for our students and our families, and recognizes the many challenges our community members may face in accessing affordable food. We have compiled a list of food resources available outside of school hours for families in San Francisco here: Afterschool & Community Resources. We will continue to update this page as needed.